1814 Holland

This superb large format map from Thomson’s New General Atlas features one of the Low Countries – Holland. The map is engraved in the minimalist English style pioneered in the early part of the 19th century, a style which reduced maps’ decorative elements to a minimum. Relief is shown by hachure with towns, cities, and major topographical features all identified. The area long referred to as the Long Fourteen is shown in fine stipling. This area of the North Sea is consistently fourteen fathoms deep, with soundings at many points along it always notated on sea charts. Thus the sand bar came to be known as the Long Fourteen. The area has been the site of many naval battles throughout history. Modern vessels, especially oil tankers, must avoid the area or risk being stranded. The map is highly detailed, depicting dikes, canals, along with numerous other topographical details, including pictorial depictions of the many low-lying marshy areas in Holland. Government divisions are shown and